The DLEC1 (Deleted in Lung and Esophageal Cancer 1) antibody is a tool used to detect the DLEC1 protein, a putative tumor suppressor implicated in multiple cancers. The DLEC1 gene, located on chromosome 3p22–21.3. is frequently epigenetically silenced via promoter hypermethylation or deleted in malignancies such as lung, esophageal, ovarian, and hepatocellular carcinomas. DLEC1 is thought to regulate cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis suppression, though its precise molecular mechanisms remain under investigation.
DLEC1 antibodies are primarily utilized in research to study its expression patterns and functional roles in carcinogenesis. Reduced or absent DLEC1 protein levels, detected via immunohistochemistry (IHC), Western blotting, or immunofluorescence, correlate with tumor progression and poor prognosis in certain cancers. These antibodies also aid in exploring DLEC1's interaction with signaling pathways, such as Wnt/β-catenin or PI3K/AKT, to uncover therapeutic targets.
Despite its potential as a biomarker, DLEC1's clinical utility is limited by incomplete understanding of its biological functions and heterogeneity across cancer types. Ongoing research focuses on validating its diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic relevance, emphasizing the need for high-specificity antibodies to ensure accurate detection in experimental and potential clinical settings.